Shiva Sarram, was honored at the 2019 Women of Distinction Awards sponsored by YWCA in Darien as a change maker who is putting refugee children on a path to a better future. Through unique programs in child development, education, vocational initiatives and technology, Blossom Hill is implementing its vision of a world where children affected by conflict and war can thrive.
Press
The Worthy 100
Helen RamosPressDecember 16, 2022
We are pleased to share that Shiva Sarram, Founder and CEO of Blossom Hill, was featured on @worthmediamag 2022 Worthy 100 list along with fellow entrepreneurs, business leaders, investors, actors, and philanthropists. This list recognizes individuals who use their influence to generate a positive impact on the world. #worthy100
Before founding her refugee relief organization, Shiva Sarram made her mark as the Manager of Professional Development at McKinsey & Co. and as an associate at Tiger Management, a U.S. hedge fund based in New York City managing more than $36 billion. Sarram decided to leave her lucrative business career in 2009 and found a non-profit organization with a mission to help refugees around the globe. This was primarily due to her experiences as an Iranian refugee who had to flee Tehran in the early 80s. The Blossom Hill Foundation provides grants and direct funds to help children affected by the near-constant conflict in the Middle East.
https://www.worth.com/home/worthy-100-2022/
BH Thought Partners Mentor Refugee Programs During Pandemic
Helen RamosMiscellaneous, PressDecember 23, 2020
Ashley Grob, assistant head of school at The Montessori School in Wilton, and pediatric neuropsychologist, Dr. Tricia Ryan have been recognized by Blossom Hill, a nonprofit organization based in New Canaan, and focused on global refugee programs. Read the article here
Ashley Grob 
Dr. Tricia Ryan
Spiritual Connection Interview
Helen RamosBlossom Hill, PressJune 10, 2019
Shiva Sarram, Founder and Executive Director of Blossom Hill, was recently interviewed by Katie Augustyn on her hopes and goals for children affected by war and conflict. Working towards peace through innovation, Blossom Hill runs a Fellowship Program that supports individuals who implement bold innovative programs that give children the opportunity to become leaders in their own community. Please view the interview here.
Stories from the front lines of business and sustainability innovation.
Helen RamosBlossom Hill, PressMay 17, 2019
Bard MBA student Esra Elshafey spoke with Blossom Hill founder Shiva Sarramabout the work of some of its current fellows and how the Foundation measures impact. Sarram was born and raised in Tehran during the devastating Iran-Irag war and has resided in the US since the early 1980s. Her passion for war-affected children as well as her education in economic development led her to the Blossom Hill vision. Click here to listen the interview
UPenn’s 25th Reunion
Helen RamosBlossom Hill, PressMay 3, 2019
At the University of Pennsylvania's 25th Reunion Signature Symposium "Champion Your Life: Stories of Inspiration and Innovation from the Class of 1994," Shiva Sarram shared her life trajectory after college and how she embarked on her philanthropic journey with Blossom Hill. "It was really an honor to speak on a panel with so many inspiring fellow alumni. Hard to believe 25 years have passed, but always a pleasure to be back on campus." You are welcome to watch UPenn's conference here
Former BH 2017 Fellow
Helen RamosPressMarch 7, 2019
Former 2017 Blossom Hill Fellow Lucrezia Bisignani made the 2019 Forbes list of 30 under 30 socials entrepreneurs. After her success with Sema Africa, Lucrezia adapted the literacy app to help Syrian refugees displaced across the Middle East learn to read in their mother tongue. Over 3,000 children have already benefited from the app.
Blossom Hill impacts lives of refugee children through fellowships
Helen RamosBlossom Hill, PressFebruary 28, 2019
Shiva Sarram knows what it’s like to live during wartime.
Sarram was born and raised in Tehran, Iran, during the Iran-Iraq War. Her family fled their home in the early 1980's when she was in the third grade. They lived briefly in Europe then settled in a suburb of Philadelphia. Sarram graduated with a degree in international relations and economics from the University of Pennsylvania and worked on Wall Street. Ten years ago, the New Canaan resident and mother of two children created the Blossom Hill Foundation, an organization to help children affected by war in the Middle East.
In Iran her father worked as a nuclear physicist, her mother for the children’s television network and as a children’s author.
“Dad left first. We went weeks later,” Sarram said. “It was a very long time ago. We left in very much an overnight fashion,” Sarram said, recounting with some detail what it was like when she, her mother and younger brother had to leave Iran to rejoin her father. “We came home. We packed our bags and we left,” Sarram said. “We thought it was temporary. It turned out not to be temporary. Living through a revolution as a child is upsetting. It leaves marks a very long time. It’s a lot of instability in your life. We left with $200 and a couple of suitcases.”...read more here
First Afghan female coders bring it on: Fight against Opium
Helen RamosPressFebruary 6, 2018
Light A Fire Awards 2017
Helen RamosPressNovember 27, 2017
Blossom Hill Founder and Executive Director Shiva Sarram was honored by Moffly Media for her outstanding grassroots effort at the 10th Annual Light A Fire Awards. Shiva accepted the award on behalf of the Blossom Hill Fellows, Staff, Board of Directors, and most importantly the Blossom Hill kids. Shiva remarked during her speech "I am inspired to continue serving these children, to continue searching for new solutions, and to never stop fighting for change."